DeRusha Download: 5 Years Later

LOTS OF THINGS TO DO OVER MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND!

May 23, 2025

DOWNLOAD DIALOGUE: 5 YEARS AFTER GEORGE FLOYD

I’ll never forget the morning. Tuesday. Day after Memorial Day. I woke up, checked my phone, and saw a video that changed everything. I had an emailed news release from police about a death because of “a medical incident.” [link] Darnella Frazier recorded what really happened to George Floyd. I was messaging Darnella on Facebook to get her permission to share the video on TV, to verify that she recorded it, and that it was real. Even in 2020, pre-AI, I was worried about video manipulation. She agreed to share it, the world saw what happened, and it shook almost all of us to the core. It shook most police officers in 2020 too, although time has faded that for some.

I heard my voice in a BBC documentary [YouTube link] and it took me back to that time. Seeing flames and smoke rise on the horizon as I drove into work. Having a special pass allowing me to drive to the news desk during a curfew. We failed on many fronts as a community. Police failed to build trust in the black community. They fired on journalists during protests. Protesters became rioters and while our city is coming back, Uptown has never been the same. Many activists made all police the enemy. Our political leaders failed us: in the moment and then in the long, long delays in moving forward. Doing nothing is easy - upsetting people is hard. No solution for the 3rd precinct or George Floyd Square will make everyone happy.

Have we grown? Have we changed? I think we have. As Americans - we tend to go all in, sometimes we go too far in a way that causes a backlash, which feels like a failure. In the daily battle, we sometimes miss the progress too. But the arc of history is long: I think this five year mark is a useful time to think about where we want to go. Not to beat us up for going too far, or not going too far enough, but to think of the truths we knew on that Tuesday morning. That we need to be better. We still do. But it takes work - are you in?

[READ: Racket MN Did companies keep their word to invest money? https://fluence-media.co/43o7thZ

MNPOST: Body Cams now the standard https://fluence-media.co/4kzqNjy

STRIB: Re-writing the narrative https://fluence-media.co/4ms5Jgr

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TOO BUSY TO DOWNLOAD?

Best Barbecue in Minnesota
Good News For Lowertown: Dark Horse Will Whinny Again
Happy Birthday, Alyssa!
Summer of Staycation

FIRES:

GROUNDSWELL ST. PAUL FIRE: I love this coffee shop/restaurant in Saint Paul - they had a fire overnight Wednesday. https://fluence-media.co/4doZeqw
HERBIVOROUS BUTCHER: WCCO-TV talks to Aubry about their fire https://fluence-media.co/4mrA8LZ

DARK HORSE: The ownership of Can Can Wonderland has bought Dark Horse and is re-opening it with former La Belle Vie and DeGidio’s chef Shane Oporto. Shane also ran OCTO Fish Bar in Lowertown St. Paul. Jared has more in PI PRESS: https://derusha.short.gy/DarkHorse

IT’S ALYSSA’S BIRTHDAY WEEK: Thursday was the day, Alyssa is MUCH younger than me (16 months) - we celebrated with a fabulous dinner at Bûcheron last night [my early review] and we’ll be enjoying Paris Dining Club [link] with Lauren & Kethan Friday night!

BEST BARBECUE IN MINNESOTA: My list features KBBQ, Hanover, Rochester, and dozens of great spots for you to check out! [MNMO BBQ LINK]

I’m Making a Father’s Day Gift Guide - if you have ideas for me - please let me know! HIT REPLY TO THIS EMAIL or email Jason@JasonDeRusha.com

CELIO IS OPEN: I missed this, but there’s more pasta in the Surdyk’s neighborhood. Rosalia opened a couple weeks ago, and the Sonder Shaker’s replacement, Celio opened early May: https://fluence-media.co/45lkknF

BEST COFFEE SHOPS IN MINNEAPOLIS: Someone asked me about coffee shops on Threads and so I figured I’d make a list. Any St. Paul faves I should have on my next list? [link]

GET SOCIAL: POSTS FROM DERUSHA

My ridiculous order at Eleven Madison Park: https://derusha.short.gy/EMPark
Giulia chef’s counter experience: https://derusha.short.gy/GiuliaCounter
Cocktail of the summer: I’m obsessed with the carajillo (ad) [link]
Apt Tours: I take you to The Scenic in Saint Paul: [link]

WOVLES FANS GET TO MARA SAT AND MON!

SPECIAL cocktail, special menu, and this is THE way to park if you’re headed to a playoff game. CRAZY deal from my friends at Mara - as the Timberwolves have advanced to the Western Conference Finals, make Mara at Four Seasons Minneapolis your headquarters. Valet park for $10 if you eat or drink at Mara or the Mara bar, then take a short walk to Target Center. Your car will be waiting for you when the final buzzer sounds!

(Thanks for being a Download Partner, Mara!)

WHAT COULD YOU DO THIS WEEKEND:

SPEND A DAY IN ST. CLOUD: Why not? Fun story by Nancy Ngo on where to eat. https://fluence-media.co/4jdT7H2

KICKOFF TO SUMMER AT THE FAIR: 40+ vendors at this mini-Minne State Fair. Fri/Sat/Sun $13 online, $16 at the gate. https://fluence-media.co/3FlF2td

GET A TICKET TO GRILL FEST: It’s next Sat/Sun at CHS Field in Saint Paul, save 25% with my discount code JASON25 or click this: https://fluence-media.co/4dwYLTx

FLEA MARKETS: Via

Twin Cities Style & Shopping

: Wadena Flea & Craft Market: Sat/Sun/Mon 9am–5pm @ 13560 US Highway 10, Wadena, wadenafleamarket.com | Shady Hollow Flea Market: 5 miles south of Detroit Lakes. Sat/Sun/Mon 6am–3pm @ 12673 Co Hwy 17, Detroit Lakes, shadyhollowfleamarket.com

WALKER ART SKYLINE MINI-GOLF: Now open! Book a tee time: https://fluence-media.co/3SgaID6

WHAT AM I DOING THIS WEEKEND?

Tonight is Paris Dining Club dinner party at my friends’ house. Saturday, Twins game at 1:10p, maybe someone will invite me to the Wolves game. Sunday we’re going to the wedding of our friend Shayla Reeves [WCCO-TV anchor].